miller



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

G. W. MILLER.

BOX.

Patented Nov. 24, 1885. q e

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' G. W. MILLER.

BOX.

No. 331,076. Patented NOV. 24, 1885.

(SW04, vaawz UNITED STATES GEORGE MILLER, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

BOX.

5PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Itlo. 331,076, dated November 2%, 1885. Application filed July 27, 1885. Serial No. 172,733. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

.of Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boxes, of-

which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherev Figure l is a view of the front side of a match-box made in accordance with my invention, showing the box closed; Fig. 2 is a like View of the same box, showing it opened. Fig. 3 is a view in cross-section of the opened box on plane denoted by line 00 m of Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a side view of the flap or cover attached to the box, and the pivot or hinge. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the opened box, illustrating the manner in which the box is held for the purpose of filling it or of taking out a match. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of an alternate form of my improved box that is rectangular in cross-section, the box being shown as partly opened, and with a thin lid between the open faces. Fig. 7 is an end view of this alternate form of box shown as closed in full lines, with the end broken away to show the spring, and in dotted outline the same box is shown as fully open. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate hexagonal form of box opened to its Widest extent. Fig. 9 is an end view of the latter form of box, shown as closed in full lines, with the end cut away to show the spring, and in dotted outline the same box is shown as fully open.

The object of my invention is to provide a box that may be readily carried in the pocket of wearing-apparel, that shall be simple, durable, and comparatively inexpensive, and shall be capable of use as an advertising medium, if desired; and to this end my invention consists in the combination of a plural number of box-sections hinged or pivoted together and held in the open or closed position by means of a spring or like device, and in further details of the combination and construction of the several parts, as more particularly hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, where like letters refer to the same parts throughout, the letters a a denote the box-sections, which are preferably cylindrical in outline and are formed of metallic tubes with closed ends. These tubes may be of any desirable fireproof material, and in any shape as to cross-section as square, round, hexagonal, or the likeand of a length sufficient to contain a match laid lengthwise ithin the box, my invention as herein described being embodied in a box specially adapted for holding matches.

The square or rectangular form of my improved box is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, and the hexagonal form in Figs. 8 and 9. In each of these sections a a an opening, a, is made through the side wall, with the metal cut away to leave it preferably rolled up to form the hinge b, and the pivot o, passing through the ears of the hinge, serves to hold the boxsections together-side by side.

The spiral spring d is attached by its opposite ends to each of the sections in such position that it tends to pull them toward each other, and it extends across the end of the box, through suitable slots or openings, e e, in the walls of the several sections, in such position that it is moved sidewise across the line of the hinge or pivot as the box is opened and closed. The result of this construction is that the boxsections are held both open and closed by this form of spring; but the important function of the spring between the box-sections is to hold them closed, whatever the form of spring, and this description of the position and operation of this spring applies to each of the forms of boxes shown in the accompanying drawings. The openings a are so arranged in the several sections in relation to the hinge that they come opposite to each other when the box is closed, and each boxsection practically closes the opening in the other; but I prefer to arrange between the several sections, and hinge to the pivot 0, a cover or flap, f. This flap, in the cylindrical form of box shown in the accompanying drawings, is made up of the frame f and the plate f", that is held in the frame by means of the lugs or projections f on its ends, that pass through holes in the sides of the frame, while the back of the frame is roughened to provide a suitable surface on which to scratch and light a match. The ends of the frame are sprung onto the pivot 0 at its opposite ends, and held on the pivot by contact with the edges of the opening 'inlthe walls of the sections. This special form of cover or flap is not essential,

but is preferred, as; it. permitstho read insern 'tion or removal of the plate,which is intended to be used as a name-plate,and also as a place on which to print or otherwise mark or dis- 5 play a card, making the device useful as an advertising medium; A cover made of @SiLlgle piece of thin metal, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, may also be used, if desired.

The frame is'made of suitable width to fill IO out the space between the curved surfaces of the closed box-sections, as shown in Fig, 1. In one form of my invention (illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5) the openingstops short of One end of the box, so that the matches can be.

r 5 tilted forward out of the box when it is opened, and wi rest the e ge oi he opening in a po ition co ni t for removal, as hown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, where one method of holding the opened box is, clearly shown. The opening, however, may extend from end to end of the box, except as, to the small portion through which the slot for the passage of the spring is, cut, in the form oi my device shown in Figs. sand 8.

My invention is evidently capable of embodiment in boxes of varied materials, sizes, and shapes, with reference to the especial use to which each is adapted, and without the exercise of invention in such adaptation; and

0 such varied forms and uses are contemplate- 1 by me. I I claim as my invention in the closed In combination, the box-sections with openings in the adjacent walls, the hinges formed integral with the walls, and the spring fastened to the respective sections and passing through a slot or opening in the wall of each,

5 all s stan a y a e cri e 2. In combination, the box-sections hinged or pivoted together, with openings through the adjacent walls, a cover or flap hinged between and common to each box-section, and

the spring connected to each section, whereby the box is held both opened and closed, all substantially as described.

3,, In combination, the box-sections a a,

, with the openings a and hinged or pivoted together, the flap f, hinged between and commen to both sections and made up of the frame f" and removab e plate pa e f d a l spring whereby the parts are held closed, all substantial y s e c i e 4, In combination, the box-sections a a, each with the opening of, and hinged or pivoted together, the flap or cover f common to both sections and having a roughened edge, 1 a and the spring whereby'the sections are held) position, all substantially as described g I y enonen W. MILLEB.;.. Witnesses:

CHAS- 1.1-, Bnnnnrr, A, O- TANNER. 

